Super-Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

The humble, yet mighty, buttermilk biscuit is an American quick bread that uses baking powder and steam to create layers that are moist, rich, and tender. This recipe creates perfectly light and unbelievably flaky buttermilk biscuits have been perfected through round after round of testing. They're delicious served alongside fried chicken, barbecue, or with whipped cream and strawberries.

Why this recipe works:

Using butter instead of shortening tenderizes the dough and adds great flavor.

Using a mixture of buttermilk and cream helps to maximize leavening while guaranteeing tenderness.

Directions

Using a knife or bench knife, cut your butter into marble-sized pieces. Store the cut butter in the refrigerator until you’re ready to combine it with the other ingredients.

2.

In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, cream, and whole egg.

3.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

4.

Add butter to flour mixture and toss until fully coated. Working quickly and using your fingers, rub butter into flour until butter forms marble-sized pieces. Alternatively, add flour mixture and butter to food processor and pulse 2 to 3 times to form marble-sized pieces; transfer to a large bowl.

5.

Add buttermilk mixture and gently mix with a fork until just combined; the dough should look somewhat dry and shaggy. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

6.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Form dough into a rectangle, lightly pressing and folding to bring it together; avoid squeezing or kneading the dough.

7.

Fold dough into thirds like a letter. Using rolling pin, roll out dough and repeat folding once more. Roll out dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Wrap in plastic and transfer to refrigerator for 10 minutes.

8.

Return dough to work surface, and, using a 3-inch round cookie-cutter and pressing down without a twisting motion, cut out biscuits as closely together as possible. Gather together scraps, pat down, and cut out more biscuits; discard any remaining scraps. Brush the top of each biscuit with egg-wash.

9.

Bake the biscuits in a 400&deg&F oven until risen and golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Born and raised in Ohio, Marissa Sertich Velie grew up eating pierogies and brats, but her insatiable sweet tooth eventually led her The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Marissa has been writing about food on her blog, Dessertation, since 2009, while working her way through the kitchens of Ohio, Massachusetts and New York. She is currently earning her Master's in Food Studies at NYU.

PREVIEW YOUR COMMENT

HTML Hints

Comment Guidelines

Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more in the Comment Policy section of our Terms of Use page.